Uganda's Food security ;Dimensions; Types; Causes ; Effects and ways of overcoming food insecurity

 According to the 1996 World Food Summit;  Food security is when all people, at all times have physical and economic access to sufficient safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.

 Uganda's food insecurity is 'serious' by the 2024 Global hunger index challenging the country's ability to achieve the United Nations sustainable development Goal 2 on zero hunger despite its agricultural potential.

Why is food security important?

• Adequate nutrition is essential for physical and mental development, allowing people to reach their full potential and live healthy lives.
• A well nourished population is a productive work force leading to increased economic activity and improved livelihoods.
• Access to affordable , nutritious food helps lift people out of poverty by reducing health care costs and improving earning capacity.
• Building a resilient food system that can stand with climate change is crucial for long-term food security.

Dimensions of food security

• Physical availability of food: Food availability addresses the “supply side” of food security and is determined by the level of food production, stock levels and net trade.
• Economic and physical access to food: An adequate supply of food at the national or international level does not in itself guarantee household level food security. Concerns about insufficient food access have resulted in a greater policy focus on incomes, expenditure, markets and prices in achieving food security objectives.
• Food utilization: Utilization is commonly understood as the way the body makes the most of various nutrients in the food. Sufficient energy and nutrient intake by individuals are the result of good care and feeding practices, food preparation, diversity of the diet and intra-household distribution of food. Combined with good biological utilization of food consumed, this determines the nutritional status of individuals.
• Stability of the other three dimensions over time: Even if your food intake is adequate today, you are still considered to be food insecure if you have inadequate access to food on a periodic basis, risking a deterioration of your nutritional status. Adverse weather conditions, political instability, or economic factors (unemployment, rising food prices) may have an impact on your food security status.

Types of food insecurity

• Chronic food insecurity is long term and persistent. it occurs when people are unable to meet their minimum food requirements over a sustained period of time. it results from extended period of poverty, lack of assets
• Transitory food insecurity is short-term and temporary, occurs when there is a sudden drop in the ability to produce or access food to maintain a good nutritional status. it results from short term shocks and fluctuations in food availability and food access.

What disrupts food security?

• Climate change 
• Political instability
• High food prices/Poverty
• Pandemics
• Conflicts
• Gender inequality
• Education

What are the outcomes of food insecurity

• Mental health issues; food insecurity can lead to depression, anxiety and stress.
• Famine and hunger leading to malnutrition, children missing school, social isolation and premature mortality.
• Food insecurity can increase the risk if developing chronic conditions like heart disease and high blood pressure.

Ways of overcoming food insecurity.

• Community trainings on climate smart systems
• Infrastructure development for example roads to increase accessibility to markets, storage systems to ensure availability all year round.
• Nutrition education programs to make known to people the importance of proper nutrition.
• Reducing food waste.